Nasal applicator



NASAL APPLICATOR Filed Jan. 15, 1950 IIII I l I I /I F. W. SCHOONMAKER, JR

INVENTOR Fen end h .S'rhaonmakw" t i jw'mL ATTORNEY now known to me.

Patented Oct. 14, 1930 FREDERICK W. SGHOONMAKER, JR., OF CALDWELL, NEW JERSEY NASAL APPLICATOR Application filed January 13, 1930. SeriaI No. 420,413.

This invention relates to improvements in nasal applicators for receiving a charge of ointment; and delivering it into the nostrils in case of cold, catarrh, hay fever, or other condition requiring local medical treatment.

An object of the invention is to provide a nasal applicator of strong and resilient but pliable material, capable of being readily joined to a container from which the ointment is received; and easily compressed to inject the ointment forcibly into the nose, and produce the desired result. In its preferred form the applicator can be made of rubber in one piece, with a bulb and nozzle for expelling the ointment; and a part attached to the applicator to facilitate connection with the container; so that the quantity of ointment needed can always be supplied to the applicator for use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind adapted to permit compression of the bulb and resist compression at other points, especially at the zone of connection between the bulb and the nozzle. Hence, in practice, correct operation. is ensured and obstruction of the nozzle through careless or unskillful handling is prevented.

The nature of the invention is completely set forth in the following description, taken with the drawings; which present the best embodiment of applicator for my purpose But the disclosure is illustrative only and may vary the details of shape, size and arrangement of parts without going beyond the principle of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the broad terms in which the claim is expressed.

' On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side View of'an applicator according to my'invention, with container attached. f

f Figures 2 and 3 are longitudinal sectional views, taken at right angles to each other, through Figure 1, on the lines 2-2 of Figure 1 and 33 of Figure 2 respectively.

7 The same numerals identify the same parts throughout.

The applicator comprises a soft resilient body or bulb 1, which is closed at one end,

and at the other has a cylindrical discharge nozzle 2. This nozzle is shaped to fit inside the entrance of ones nostrils without causing any discomfort. At the side of the nozzle is a diagonally extending internally threaded coupling neck 3. The entire article comprising the bulb, nozzle and neck may be of pliable rubber.

The container for the ointment, Vaseline or the like, is shown at 7. It may have the form of a collapsible tube, or may be otherwise constructed, and the outlet nipple thereof which ordinarily receives the threaded cap which closes the tube, will be screwed into the neck 3. The threads of the nipple of the tube will engage with the threads 4 on the inside of the bushing 3, and thus the tube and the applicator when joined make up a single device.

In practice, when the applicator is to be used, the tube is squeezed to expel enough of its contents into the nozzle 2. Then the nozzle is inserted into the nostril and the bulb 1 is smartly compressed between the fingers. The air in the bulb then drives the charge of ointment into the nostril, and injects it with force enough to spread it all over the internal membrane lining the nostril. Each nostril can be treated in this way. The same procedure may be followed for a sore throat. hen not needed, a closure such as a small cork 8, may be employed to close the open end of the nozzle 2.

The bulb 1, nozzle 2 and neck 8 can thus be made in one piece and produced in. large quantities low cost. ,Vith the tube 7 it co stitutcs a very useful and easily handled unit to be kept in the medicine cabinet or vi a the toilet articles of the bath-room.

T he drawings illustrate the applicator with the bulb 1 approximately cylindrical and with a closed, rounded end and a projected portion forming the substantially cylindrical nozzle 2 that is the bulb 1 is of constant diameter throughout; and so is the nozzle 2, though of less diameter than the bulb. The wall of the bulb and nozzle are about of the same thinness, but the neck 3 is thicker, and an annular shoulder 9 of reduced outside diameter joins the nozzle to the bulb. The

wall of the bulb 1 at the shoulder 9 is relatively thick to reinforce the applicator at the zone of connection between the nozzle and the bulb. The neck 3 merges with the nozzle 2 at the adjacent portion of the thick shoulder and the shoulder and nozzle are thus additionally strengthened and stiffened; so that pressure on the applicator can only take effeet to discharge it, and never to collapse or m obstruct the nozzle. l he thick walls of the neck 3 enables the threads l to have suiiicient strength to hold the bulb on the tube 7 In other Words, when one grasps the bulb and tightens his thumb and finger upon it, the bulb can yield, but the shoulder 11 does not give, or at most ver little. Hence, even if the applicator is improperly handled the bore 1 of the nozzle remains open throughout its length and the air in the bulb can be util- 2O ized with full effect to expel the contents. If

the shoulder 11 were not thickened, careless operation could make the applicator collapse at the shoulder, without expelling the con tents as required; but the thickened shoulder, made even stiffer by its junction with the neck, ensures the desired result. v Having described my invention what I believe to be new and desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United States so iSI An applicator comprising a one piece body in the forin of a soft resilient bulb with a projected portion forming a discharge nozzle thereon, an annular reduced shoulder portion connecting the nozzle to the bulb, the wall of the applicator being thickened at the shoulder, a diagonally extending coupling neck at the side of the nozzle adjacent the] shoulder to enable the usual threaded outlet of a collapsible tube to be connected to the applicator, the neck being merged with the inner end of said nozzle and the adjacent por tion or said shoulder to reinforce and stiffen both the inner end of the nozzle and said shoulder further and thereby preventcollapsing of the nozzle when the bulb is co-in pressed, said neck having a thicker wall structure than the body of the bulb and the outer end of the nozzle in order to be proc vided with screw threads therein of sutlicient strength to enable the neck to be coupled with the usual threaded outlet of the collapsible tube, to attach the applicator to said tube.

Signed at Caldwell, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, this 28th day of December, 929. 7

' FREDERICK W. SCHQUEJMAKEl-l, 5r. 

